Fluid pump apparatus



Feb. 14, 1967 NEUBAUER 3,303,784

FLUID PUMP APPARATUS Filed March 4, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. EMIL T. NEUBAUER @ZLW ATTORNEY 1957 E. T. NEUBAUER FLUID PUMP APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 4, 1965 INVENTOR. EMlL T. NEUBAUER ATTORNEY United States Patent Office 3,383,784 Patented Feb. 14', 1967 3,363,784 FLUID PUMF APPARATUS Emil T. Neuhauer, Sidney, Ohio; Third National Bank and Trust Company, executor of the estate of said Emil T. Neubauer, deceased, assignor to Tuthill Pump Company, Chicago, TIL, a corporation of Illinois Filed Mar. 4, 1965, Ser. No. 437,254 6 Ciairns. (Cl. 103-3) This invention relates to fluid pump apparatus. The invention relates more particularly to rotary fluid pump apparatus.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Serial No. 379,447 filed July 1, 1964.

An object of this invention is to provide fluid pump apparatus having a rotary member which pumps fluid in the same direction regardless of the direction of rotation of the rotary member.

Another object of this invention is to provide such pump apparatus which may be easily and readily assembled and disassembled.

Another object of this invention is to provide such pump apparatus which can be assembled without the use of nuts, or bolts or the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide such pump apparatus which is relatively compact and small in physical size in consideration of the capacity thereof. Another object of this invention is to provide such pump apparatus which may be constructed with a drive shaft concentric with a cylindrical housing or eccentric with respect thereto.

Another object of this invention is to provide such apparatus which is also operable as a fluid motor.

Other objects and advantages reside in the construction of parts, the combination thereof, the method of manufacture, and the mode of operation, as will become more apparent from the following description.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective exploded view of fluid pump apparatus of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged side sectional view of the apparatus of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a view taken substantially on line 3-3 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 44 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view similar to FIGURE 4 but showing elements of the apparatus in another position of operation.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged sectional View taken substantially on line 66 of FIGURE 4.

Referring to the drawings in detail, fluid pump apparatus of this invention comprises a housing 12 which is provided with an inlet passage 14 and an outlet passage 16. The housing 12 is shown as having an extension portion 20.

The housing 12 has a chamber or cavity 22 therewithin. A bore 25, shown in FIGURE 2, extends through the extension portion 26 and communicates with the cavity 22. As shown in FIGURE 3, the cavity 22 has an end wall 21 which is provided with a pair of spaced-apart elongate depressions or ports 22 and 24. The depression or port 23 provides communication between the cavity 22 and the passage 16. The depression or port 24 provides communication between the cavity 22 and the passage 14.

Any suitable bearing members 26 are shown Within the bore 25 for rotatable support of a shaft 28.

Within the cavity 22 the shaft 23 carries a disc 30 for rotation therewith. The disc 30 is provided with a plurality of openings 32 therethrough. Attached to the disc 30 by any suitable means such as by means of pins 34 is a rotor 36. The rotor 36 is therefore rotatable with the disc 30 as the disc 30 forms a wall of the rotor 36. If desired, the disc 30 and the rotor 36 may be integral.

The rotor 36 is annular in shape and has a plurality of internal recesses or indentations 38 which are separated by protuberances 40. There is only a very small operating clearance between the periphery of the rotor 36 and the cylindrical walls of the cavity 22. Each of the openings 32 of the disc 30 is in alignment with one of the recesses 38 of the rotor 36 for communication therewith.

Within the annular rotor 36 is a rotor 42 which has a plurality of lobes 44. The rotor 42 is rotatably supported by a stud or shaft 48 which is carried by a support plate 50.

The stud 48 is shown herein as being a part 'of a stem 51. The stem 51 has a collar 53 within the support plate 50. The collar 53 is secured to the support plate 50 at the central axis thereof. However, it is to be understood that the stud 48 may be attached to thesupport plate 50 separately from the stem 51. Also, if desired, the support plate 50, the stem 51, and the stud 48 are integral. The stem 51 is coaxial with the rotor 36 and is rotatable therewith.

The support plate 50 has a substantially semi-circular flange 49 extending around a portion thereof with a shoulder 47 at each end of the flange 49. The cylindrical wall forming the cavity 22 in the housing 12 has a small socket or notch 52 therein. A spring pin 54 is disposed within the socket 52 and is in juxtaposition with the peripheral surface support plate 50 intermediate the shoulders 47, as shown in FIGURES 4, 5, and 6. The spring pin 54 is engaged by a shoulder 47 of the flange 49 to limit rotative movement of the support plate 50. Preferably, the spring pin 54 is a helical body or strip of resilient or flexible material, as shown in FIGURES 4, 5, and 6.

The stem 51 is provided with a bore 55 within which is disposed an elongate coil spring 60. The stem 51 is slidably disposed Within a socket 58 of a cover member 64, with the spring 60 extending slightly from the socket 58 and engaging the end wall of the socket 58. Preferably, the spring 60 has substantially a point contact with the end wall of the socket 58 of the cover 64, as shown in FIGURE 2, so that rotative movement of the spring 60 may occur without appreciable frictional forces upon the spring 60 or upon the end wall of the socket 58.

The cover member 64 is snugly disposed within the cavity 22 at the open end thereof and engages a shoulder 66 which locates or positions the cover member 64. An elastomeric sealing member 68 encompasses the cover member 64 and is partially disposed within a groove 70 in the wall of the cavity 22 as shown in FIGURE 6. At the exterior surface of the cover member 64 an arcuate snap ring 72 is partially disposed within a groove 74. The arcuate snap ring 72 engages the cover member 64 and retains the cover member 64 in its proper position within the cavity 22. The support plate 50 with the stem 51 is rotatable about the axis of the stem 51.

Operation For operation of the apparatus of this invention as a pump, any suitable motor means (not shown) may be connected to the shaft 28 for rotation thereof.

Rotation of the shaft 28 causes rotation of the disc 30 and the rotor 36. Due to the fact that the lobes 44 of the rotor 42 mesh with the recesses 38 and the protuberances 40 of the rotor 36, the rotor 42 is rotated with rotation of the rotor 36.

As discussed above, the support plate 50 is rotatable through a limited degree. Due to the fact that the support plate 56 is in slight engagement with the rotors 36 and 42, rotation of the rotors 36 and 42 urges rotation of the support plate 50. If the rotors 36 and 42 rotate clockwise, as illustrated by an arrow 80 in FIGURE 4, the plate 50 is urged to rotate clockwise. However, the spring pin 54 which is disposed within the socket 52 of the cavity 22 and which is in juxtaposition with the peripheral surface of the support plate 50 engages a shoulder 47 of the support plate 50 and limits the rotative movement of the support plate 50 to a position as shown in FIGURE 4. Thus, the support plate 50 maintains the rotative position shown in FIGURE 4 during clockwise rotation of the rotors 36 and 42.

Due to the fact that the stud or shaft 48 is eccentric with respect to the support plate 50, rotative movement of the support plate 50 changes the position of the stud or shaft 48. Due to the fact that the rotor 42 is rotatably supported by the stud or shaft 48, the position of the rotor 42 changes with change in position of the stud or shaft 48.

Thus, when the rotors 36 and 42 are rotating clockwise, as shown in FIGURE 4, the stud 48 and the rotor 42 are positioned within the rotor 36, in the manner shown in FIGURE 4.

Also, as shown in FIGURE 4, there is always one or more of the recesses 38 of the rotor 36 which is open or partially open. Therefore, as the rotors 36 and 42 rotate, the lobes 44 of the rotor 42 move into and out of successive recesses 38 of the rotor 36. When the rotors 36 and 42 are rotating clockwise, the rotor 42 is positioned with respect to the ports 23 and 24 in the manner shown in FIGURE 4. Thus, fluid is drawn into the annular rotor 36 through the inlet passage 14, through the port 24 and through one or more of the openings 32. The fluid flows into the recesses 38 of the rotor 36 which are in communication with the port 24. Then as the rotors 36 and 42 rotate, the fluid is carried within the recesses 38 of the rotor 36.

As shown, each of the openings 32 is in alignment with one of the recesses 38 and serves as a port leading to and from its respective recess 38. Each of the openings 32 is smaller than the space between the depressions or ports 23 and 24. Thus, as each of the recesses 38 passes from communication with the depression 24 to communication with the depression 23, fluid is retained within the recess 38. Then as the recesses 38 approach the port 23, successive lobes 44 of the rotor 42 move into successive recesses 38 of the rotor 36 and force fluid therefrom. As the fluid is forced from the recesses 38 the fluid flows through the openings 32 which are in communication with the port or depression 23, and the fluid flows into the outlet passage 16. Thus, fluid is forced outwardly through the outlet passage 16, as shown in FIGURE 4.

When the shaft 28 is rotated in the opposite direction, the rotors 36 and 42 rotate counterclockwise, as illustrated by an arrow 82 in FIGURE 5. Therefore, due to the fact that the support plate 50 is in sliding engagement with the rotors 36 and 42, the support plate 56 is rotated counterclockwise and rotative movement of the support plate 50 is limited by the spring pin 54, as a shoulder 47 engages the spring pin 54. Thus, during counterclockwise rotation of the rotors 36 and 42, the stud or shaft 48 is in the position thereof shown in FIGURE and the rotor 42 is positioned with respect to the ports 23 and 24 as shown in FIGURE 5.

Therefore, when the rotors 36 and 42 rotate counterclockwise fluid is drawn into the recesses 38 when the recesses 38 are adjacent the depression or port 24 and fluid is carried in the recesses 38 until the recesses 38 come into communication with the depression or port 23. When the recesses 38 come into communication with the depression or port 23, successive lobes 44 of the rotor 42 move into successive recesses 38 of the rotor 36 and force fluid from the recesses 38 through the openings 32 which are in communication therewith. The fluid is thus forced from the cavity 22 into the depression or port 23. Thus, fluid is forced outwardly from the cavity 22 through the outlet passage 16 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 5 when the rotors 36 and 42 rotate counterclockwise.

Due to the fact that the spring in 54 is in the form of a helix, as shown in FIGURES 4, 5, and 6, the spring pin 54 is an energy absorber, as well as a means for limiting the rotative movement of the support plate 50. Furthermore, the spring pin 54 provides a cushion effect and reduces the impact forces of a shoulder 47 at the termination of the rotative travel of the support plate 50.

As stated above, the support plate St) is secured to the stem 51 or is integral therewith, and the stem 51 is rotatably positioned within the socket 58 of the cover member 64. Thus, the stem 51 aids in maintaining thesupport plate 5%) in a coaxial position with respect to the rotor 36 while the support plate 50 is in any rotative position.

Thus, it is understood that in either direction of rotation of the shaft 28, fluid pump apparatus of this invention forces fluid in the same direction. Thus, the same inlet passage and the same outlet passage are used in either direction of rotation of the shaft 28.

The apparatus of this invention may also be used as a fluid motor, if so desired, by forcing fluid therethrough.

Although the preferred embodiment of the device has been described, it will be understood that within the purview of this invention various changes may be made in the form, details, proportion and arrangement of parts, the combination thereof and mode of operation, which generally stated consist in a device capable of carrying out the objects set forth, as disclosed and defined in the appended claims.

The invention having thus been described, the following is claimed:

1. In apparatus of the type described,

a housing provided with an internal wall forming a cavity, the internal wall having a notch therein,

a support member rotatably disposed within the cavity,

the support member having a peripheral surface adjacent the notch, the peripheral surface having an abutment shoulder,

a limit member partially disposed within the notch and in juxtaposition with the peripheral surface of the support member, the limit member consisting of a helical strip of material, the limit member limiting the rotative movement of the support member as the shoulder of the support member engages the limit member.

. In apparatus of the type described comprising:

housing provided with an internal wall forming a cavity, the internal wall forming the cavity having a notch therein,

a support member rotatably disposed within the cavity,

the support member having a peripheral surface adjacent the notch, the peripheral surface having an abutment shoulder,

a helical body disposed partially within the notch and in juxtaposition with the peripheral surface of the support member, the helical body limiting rotative movement of the support member as the shoulder engages the helical body.

. Fluid pump apparatus comprising:

housing provided with an internal wall forming a cavity therein, there being a notch in the internal wall of the cavity,

a shaft carried by the housing and having a portion within the cavity,

an annular rotor, means attaching the annular rotor to the shaft for rotation therewith,

a support member rotatably supported within the cavity adjacent the annular rotor and engageable therewith for rotative movement thereby, the support member having a peripheral engagement surface extending a portion of the periphery thereof, there being a shoulder at each end of the engagement surface,

a helical member disposed within the notch in the internal wall of the cavity and in juxtaposition with the engagement surface of the support member so that rotative movement of the support member is limited by engagement of a shoulder thereof with the helical member,

a stem attached to the support member and extending into the annular rotor, the stem having a portion spaced from the axis of rotation of the annular rotor,

a second rotor, the second rotor being within the annular rotor and carried by said portion of the stem for rotation therea-bout.

4. Apparatus of the type described comprising:

a housing provided with a cavity therein,

a shaft extending through the end wall into the cavity, the shaft being rotatable with respect to the housing,

an annular rotor carried by the shaft coaxial therewith for rotation therewith,

a support plate within the cavity substantially coaxial with the annular rotor and having a surface in engagement with the annular rotor, the support plate having rotative movement within the cavity by rotation of the annular rotor as the support plate engages the annular rotor,

the support plate having a peripheral engagement surface extending around a portion thereof, there being a shoulder at each end of the engagement surface,

the cavity having a socket therein adjacent the support plate,

a spring pin disposed within the socket and in juxtaposition with the engagement surface of the support plate, the spring pin consisting of an elongate helical coil of strip material, the axis of the helical coil being substantially parallel to the axis of rotative movement of the support plate, rotative movement of the support plate being limited by engagement of a shoulder of the support plate with the spring pin,

a second rotor, the second rotor being rotatably disposed within the annular rotor,

means carried by the support plate and rotatably supporting the second rotor for rotation of the second rotor about an axis which is spaced from the axis of rotation of the annular rotor.

5. In apparatus of the type described,

a first member,

a second member,

the first member and the second member being relatively movable,

one of said members being provided with a recess,

the other of said members having a surface adjacent the recess, the surface terminating in a shoulder,

a spring pin partially disposed within said recess of said one member and in juxtaposition with the surface of said other member, the spring pin being a strip of material in the form of a helix,

the shoulder and the spring pin being engageable one with the other to limit the relative movement between the first member and the second member, the spring pin serving as a cushion and energy absorber as the spring pin reduces the impact forces at the termination of relative movement between the first member and the second member.

6. Fluid pump apparatus comprising:

a housing provided with a cavity therein, a shaft carried by the housing and having a portion within the cavity, an annular rotor attached to the shaft substantially coaxial therewith for rotation therewith, support means within the cavity adjacent the annular rotor, the support means having a rotatively movable portion and a stationary portion, means limiting the degree of rotative movement of said movable portion of the support means, said last named means including a helical elongate strip of material carried by the housing within the cavity and in juxtaposition with said rotatively movable portion of the support means, shaft means carried by the support means and having a part within the confines of the annular rotor, said part of the shaft means having an axis spaced from the axis of rotation of the annular rotor, and a second rotor, the second rotor being within the annular rotor and carried by said part of the shaft means for rotation about the axis thereof.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,486,836 3/1924 Hill 103126 1,700,818 2/1929 Wilsey 103126 2,968,251 1/1961 Eames et al. 103-126 3,128,707 4/1964 Brundage 103 126 3,165,066 1/1965 Phelps et al. 103126 FOREIGN PATENTS 476,515 12/ 1937 Great Britain.

DONLEY .T. STOCKING, Primary Examiner.

SAMUEL LEVINE, MARK NEWMAN, Examiners.

W. L. FRESH, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN APPARATUS OF THE TYPE DESCRIBED, A HOUSING PROVIDED WITH AN INTERNAL WALL FORMING A CAVITY, THE INTERNAL WALL HAVING A NOTCH THEREIN, A SUPPORT MEMBER ROTATABLY DISPOSED WITHIN THE CAVITY, THE SUPPORT MEMBER HAVING A PERIPHERAL SURFACE ADJACENT THE NOTCH, THE PERIPHERAL SURFACE HAVING AN ABUTMENT SHOULDER, A LIMIT MEMBER PARTIALLY DISPOSED WITHIN THE NOTCH AND IN JUXTAPOSITION WITH THE PERIPHERAL SURFACE OF THE SUPPORT MEMBER, THE LIMIT MEMBER CONSISTING OF A HELICAL STRIP OF MATERIAL, THE LIMIT MEMBER LIMITING THE ROTATIVE MOVEMENT OF THE SUPPORT MEMBER AS THE SHOULDER OF THE SUPPORT MEMBER ENGAGES THE LIMIT MEMBER. 